W.Va. sesquicentennial celebration at WVU Parkersburg kicks off with Gandydancer band

Parkersburg, W.Va. 4/2/13 – In celebration of West Virginia’s 150 years of statehood, West Virginia University at Parkersburg presents premier mountain string band Gandydancer. The band will perform at in the College Activities Center Saturday, April 6 at 7 p.m. as part of the college’s Distinguished Performance Series.

Featuring five respected musicians, the group delivers traditional mountain music to listeners in a way they appreciate and remember. These musicians have a fascinating repertoire featuring some of the country’s purest American folk music. Gandydancer’s members include Dave Bing, Jim Martin, Gerry Milnes, Ron Mullennex and Mark Payne.

Each a champion multi-instrumentalist, the band members have known one another and played music together in different combinations for over 20 years. The band incorporates a fresh assortment of instrumental and vocal combinations. A cappella vocal harmonies, twisty old-time fiddle and banjo tunes, seldom-heard West Virginia folk songs, traditional bluegrass, new compositions, poignant ballads and driving instrumental numbers are all presented masterfully.

This performance is presented with support from the West Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission and is part of a month-long celebration at WVU Parkersburg. This and all sesquicentennial events are free and open to the public.